LB Grant impressed at OSU

Richmond (Va.) Hermitage linebacker Curtis Grant took his first official visit this past weekend to Columbus, Ohio to see the Buckeyes coaching staff and meet the players. Head coach Jim Tressel and his staff have set the bar high for the five-star star.

"Ohio State was awesome," said the 6-foot-3, 222-pounder. "That place is really impressive. I liked the campus, the coaches, the players and everything about it. It was a really good visit."

Grant, the nation's top linebacker, was hosted by J.T. Moore and met numerous players including quarterback Terrelle Pryor, Johnathan Hankins and others.

"J.T. was cool and a good host and I really fit in with the players," he said. "It's a family atmosphere there and they have a confidence about them but it's not cocky. The coaches and the players are on the same page."

Grant is being recruited to play middle linebacker at Ohio State and spoke at length with Tressel and spent a lot of time with linebackers coach Luke Fickell.

"They have a great linebacker tradition and they talked about that a bit," he said. "They didn't compare me to anyone because they know I want to be my own player but they did say I could play a role there like A.J. Hawk did. I like the defense and the way I'd fit into it."

Grant also felt good about the school itself.

"It's a really nice place," he said. "I've always been interested in Ohio State but to see it firsthand and take a look around, it left me impressed for sure. I still have other visits to take and I didn't think about committing because I want to take my time, but it set the bar high."

Grant will now take a break from recruiting as the dead period begins and focus on the U.S. Army All American Bowl. After that he will take a few more officials and make his decision around Signing Day.

"I'm going to visit Florida and North Carolina for sure and Virginia is also in there because I've been there so much," he said. "Georgia and Michigan are also in the mix for an official."

Prior to the retirement of Urban Meyer and the visit to Ohio State, many felt that Florida was the team to beat. New Gators head coach Will Muschamp reached out to Grant this week.

"I talked to him and he seemed cool," Grant said. "Florida is Florida and he's a defensive coach so that's all good. I still like them but I have to see Florida and North Carolina to compare them to Ohio State. Right now I could picture myself as a Buckeye and I want to see if the same is true at the other schools after I visit."